Huard vying for QB job

Kansas City, Mo. — Damon Huard hopes he’s finally found an NFL home in Kansas City.

The seven-year veteran began with the first day of minicamp Friday, competing for the job as the Chiefs’ No. 3 quarterback. Signed as a free agent, he spent four years with Miami and three with New England and feels entirely comfortable with his role.

“I’m not even thinking about that,” he said. “I’m just so glad to be here with a class organization.”

Huard has spent the past two years playing behind Tom Brady at New England.

Barring a catastrophic injury, No. 1 probably is out of the question. Trent Green went to the Pro Bowl a year ago and with him at the helm, the Chiefs’ offense has been among the most productive in the league the past two years.

But the No. 2 spot, now held by Todd Collins, might not be out of the question for Huard, who has started six games in his NFL career.

MLB

La Russa, McClendon punished

New York — Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon and St. Louis manager Tony La Russa each were suspended for two games Friday after a shouting match during a game that caused both benches to empty.

McClendon and La Russa also were fined undisclosed amounts by Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president of on-field operations.

La Russa began his suspension Friday night. McClendon, whose team played an afternoon game Friday, was to begin his suspension today.

Both managers were ejected with two outs in the top of the ninth inning in St. Louis’ 4-2 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday after Pirates reliever Mike Gonzalez sent Tony Womack to the dirt with a high, inside pitch.

Before Gonzalez’s next pitch, La Russa yelled at him. That prompted McClendon to storm out of his team’s dugout and head toward the Cardinals dugout to confront La Russa.

La Russa came onto the field, and the umpires stood between the managers as they exchanged heated words along the first-base line near the Cardinals dugout.

College baseball

WSU shuts out Mizzou

Fayetteville, Ark. — Wichita State’s Mike Pelfrey struck out 14 Missouri batters, helping the Shockers claim a 3-0 victory Friday over the Tigers in the first game of the NCAA Fayetteville Regional.

Wichita State advanced to play Arkansas today.

“Mike Pelfrey was outstanding today,” Wichita State coach Gene Stephenson said. “He had a career high for strikeouts. I’m real proud of how he pitched today.”

Pelfrey (11-2) threw eight and two-thirds innings, allowing only four hits and three walks as he put the Shockers (47-14) in the winners bracket.

Tommy Hottovy picked up the save by recording the final out of the game. Hottovy needed only three pitches to close out the Tigers (37-22-1).